GEM vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

GEM (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GEM returned 10.51%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GEM charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

GEM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GEM achieves a 29.96% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, GEM has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.51%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

GEM

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 8.42%
• YTD: 29.96%
• 6M: 31.86%
• 1Y: 54.83%
• 3Y*: 24.71%
• 5Y*: 8.85%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GEM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	29.96%	33.43%	6.66%	11.82%	-21.33%	-0.19%	13.23%	17.79%	-14.25%	36.43%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between GEM and SPY is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2015	0.68

The correlation between GEM and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (5 years) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GEM vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GEM	SPY
Technology	43.5%	39.0%
Financial Services	18.6%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	9.9%
Communication Services	6.4%	10.6%
Basic Materials	6.4%	1.7%
Industrials	5.6%	7.8%
Energy	3.0%	3.1%
Healthcare	2.9%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	4.5%
Utilities	1.8%	2.1%
Real Estate	0.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

GEM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GEM

GEM Risk / Return Rank: 81
GEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
GEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
GEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
GEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
GEM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GEM vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	GEM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	2.16	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	2.91	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.39	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.08	3.01	+1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.13	13.54	+1.59

GEM vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GEM and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GEM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GEM drawdown since its inception was -37.02%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GEM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GEM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.02%	-55.19%	+18.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.50%	-8.88%	-4.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-18.76%	+2.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.10%	-24.50%	-10.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.02%	-33.72%	-3.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.75%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.97%	-9.04%	-2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.64%	1.97%	+1.67%

Volatility

GEM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) has a higher volatility of 10.70% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that GEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GEM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.70%	4.64%	+6.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.31%	9.75%	+9.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.48%	12.43%	+9.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.18%	17.14%	+1.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.22%	17.99%	+1.23%

GEM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GEM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GEM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

GEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.77%	2.30%	2.58%	2.97%	2.96%	3.00%	1.63%	3.13%	2.08%	1.81%	1.98%	0.25%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GEM and SPY in my portfolio?

GEM and SPY have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GEM or SPY?

GEM has higher volatility (10.70%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GEM dropped -37.02% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, GEM or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.70% vs 10.51% for GEM. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GEM or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.70% return vs 10.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GEM or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GEM or SPY?

GEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 1.01% for SPY.

What is the main difference between GEM and SPY?

GEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. GEM tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GEM and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.16), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.